How To Build A Wrap Around Porch (In 5 Easy Steps)

The addition of a wrap around front porch can be one of the greatest ways to enhance the exterior of your home and increase your living space. They provide an excellent location for entertaining guests, enjoying gorgeous views, lounging in a rocking chair and sipping on lemonade.

When it comes to front porches, there are many different shapes and styles to choose from. Wrap around porches, or sometimes referred to as colonial-style or veranda-porches, are more commonly seen on older homes but becoming increasingly popular in new constructions.

Installing a wrap around porch on your home can not only increase the curb appeal of your home, they can also drive up its overall value. Although building a wrap around porch may be better suited for the professionals, if you have construction experience, the process can be broken down into a few steps.

Aside from the actual building process, there are many other things to consider when it comes to wrap around porches. We’ll outline the step by step process for “how to build a wrap around porch” as well as provide you with some overall pros and cons.

Choosing the physical location of your new porch may seem like a no brainer however, a wrap around porch can be installed on the front or back of the home. It’s important that where you will be installing it doesn’t interfere or cause issues with the rest of the house.

The most common problem when it comes to deciding on porch location is related to daylight. Adding a wrap around porch to the front of your home could possibly reduce daylight in the living room while a back porch may drastically cut off daylight to the kitchen.

Make sure that you plan out your wrap around porch location carefully so as to not significantly darken an area of the existing house.

Once you’ve determined the location for your wrap around porch, you should start thinking about your budget, choose a porch style and secure a building permit. Gather prices for the materials your project requires and, if you’d like to save money, consider purchasing reclaimed materials.

Next, prep the project area by surveying the land around the perimeter of your home and take measurements for how wide the porch will be. Keep in mind that you’ll need to allow for any natural dips or slopes on the property that will affect the install of the porch. Also, consider that the height of your porch needs to allow for the slope of the roof.

Check with your local permitting department in regards to the recommended footer depth. Dig three holes, 6 feet away from the house at the required depth. You’ll end up having two end holes that are 12 feet apart and the third hole directly in the center of the two. You’ll repeat this step for the side porch as well, adapting it accordingly.

Create a gravel base that is about 6 inches deep by laying out two bags of gravel between these holes. Then, put the form tubes into the three holes and mix and pour the concrete. You’ll finish this step by installing the bases of the metal or wood columns at the top of each form tube.

Mark where you’ll be installing the deck framing level to the top of the foundations. Put the decking frame in place attaching the ledgers to the foundation wall and securing using carriage bolts. You’ll then attach the joists to the frame using hurricane clips.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to have extensive framing on the corner where the side porch meets the front porch. This will help the area support weight and won’t cause any spongy dips in the corner.

Before you lay down any of the decking, you’ll want to ensure that the frame and joists are completely level. When it comes to wrap around porches, you have a few options when laying the decking. You can either use straight decking beginning at the wall of the house and extend outward to the edge, changing directions at the corner or create a diagonal join at the corners.

Consult plenty of design patterns to decide on the decking install option that best suits your particular project.

With the decking installed, it’s time to move onto the roofing and making sure it blends seamlessly with the existing house. Mark where the roof of the porch will attach to the exterior of the house and use carriage bolts to secure the roof struts. You’ll use hurricane clips to affix the joists and outer struts.

Beginning at the corners of the porch, place decking posts at regular intervals and leave a gap of around 10 feet between them. These measurements may vary depending on the particular length and width of your porch.

Using roofing nails, secure the roofing materials and seal the joints between the house and roof with roofing tar. Make sure you do this step before installing any shingles or roofing felt. If you’ve chosen to follow the same design as your existing roof you’ll want to purchase the same materials and install them in a similar direction.

Around the porch perimeter, attach the posts and balusters. Install the fascia boards on the face of the porch and your guttering to the front of the fascias. Many homeowners decide to opt for rain chains as a more attractive alternative to roof gutters on their wrap around porch.

Use the treads and risers to build the steps of your wrap around porch keeping in mind that your steps must also adhere to regulation size. Speak with your permitting office to ensure that you’re following all the relevant state and local laws.

You’ll complete the steps by adding the banister rails and posts. For an optional added step, you can also consider adding lining and tongue-and-groove paneling. Although not required, sometimes this adds a nice finishing touch to a wrap around porch.